Read my lips: Zip it. Stifle. Shut up. And I mean that in the nicest way.
From Va. Sen. George Allen's fatal utterance of the once-obscure term "macaca" to Michael Richards' n-famous n-vocation of the n-word — n public — to Mel Gibson's drunken tirade to Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell's nasty sandbox dustup, this has not been a banner year for profound pronouncements.
So for what's left of 2006 maybe it would be most prudent just not to say anything.
To let the old year pass peacefully. In its sleep. Unmolested by harsh language and brittle manners.
As for 2007, let's all resolve to do good and be better. And, pretty please, to think before we speak.
In an effort to help get things started, here's a list of stuff I'd love to hear my state and community leaders say in '07:
Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong: "I have mangled this case horrifically from day one and I apologize. I apologize to the Duke lacrosse players, whom I have tried in the media. I apologize to the community, which has been polarized based on misinformation and misconception. And I apologize to rape and sexual assault victims everywhere, for making it tougher for them to come forward in the future through my stubborn, reckless handling of this explosive case. Fact is, you've been hoodwinked, bamboozled and had. And I'm sorry."
Warnersville Community Coalition leader Otis Hairston Jr. and Greensboro College President Craven Williams (in a joint statement): "Warnersville residents and the college have agreed to work together to ensure that our planned new sports complex won't be disruptive to the adjacent neighborhood and that the historic J.C. Price School will be preserved as part of the project."
Triad animal lovers on a new, combined initiative to join forces to combat Guilford County's epidemic of abandoned pets: "We decided it was time to work together on this problem than to claw and scratch at each other like, well, cats and dogs."
Weaver Foundation President Skip Moore on a long-overdue fund-raising boost for a long-overdue institution: "We are overwhelmed that this community has stepped forward with such faith, vision and generosity to support the International Civil Rights Center and Museum. Now we'll open months sooner than projected."
High Point Mayor Becky Smothers, on that other city in Guilford County: "Even though it was a relatively small-fry transaction in the scheme of things, we were wrong to offer La-Z-Boy incentives to move from Greensboro to High Point. And we shouldn't do it again. Yup, we wanted La-Z-Boy's address to be in High Point, but not enough to jeopardize relations with a valued neighbor.
"And, yup, to be honest, we do kind of like getting Greensboro's goat every once in a while, but not that much."
Wake County Superior Court Judge Howard Manning: "I'm delighted to report that two of the schools I've ordered to improve test scores — or else — have made substantial progress.
"Congratulations to the teachers, students, parents and communities of Dudley and Smith high schools in Greensboro. Now keep it up."
Outgoing Democratic House Speaker Jim Black: "Who am I kiddin'? It's not The Charlotte Observer's doing that got me into all this trouble. How'd Jimmy Buffett put it in a song? It's my own damn fault."
Erstwhile congressional candidate Vernon Robinson, hell- and campaign money-raiser extraordinaire: "If I run again, and you know I probably will, maybe I'll tone down the divisive racial and sexual rhetoric and run on my merits, not other people's fears and ignorance. Maybe ..."
Disgruntled north High Point parent: "OK, OK, Terry Grier wasn't on the grassy knoll in 1963 and the High Point School Choice Plan is not one of the causes of global warming."
Contact Allen Johnson at ajohnson@news-record.com or 373-7010.
Comments (6)
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Allen Johnson:
I am sorry for being two faced about it. Yes, I did send my son to an extremely non diverse school and I just want the kids of those stupid b#####ds from North High Point to be bussed not mine or my neigbors or the kids from my old school Dudley.
Posted on December 31, 2006 9:04 AM
How about Dot Kearns;
I am sorry I have once again punished people in High Point for simply suffering the misfortune of living in the same city as me, and supporting and sending their children to a school that has evolved a better demographic, at least in my opinion, than my alma mater and my neighborhood pride and joy- Central High. I'm sorry that I once again had to do something about this, but to those of you affected, tough tiddy and Happy New Year. (I would however like to sincerely apologize to the Parkview kids I put on a bus for three hours a day to another school, only to find that when they got there the good teachers had left to somehow go to the school they are supposed to go to due to "Mission Possible". Oh well, nobody's perfect.
I also would like to apologize for over the last twelve years, during my tenure on the schoolboard, taking a functioning school system, and aside from just a little pointless demographic shifting, doing absolutely nothing constructive and doing my best to run all three high schools into the ground.
I would also like to thank all the people who have moved from High Point and purchased homes in Davidson County as a result of my policies. I thank you. My realty company thanks you.
Or how about Deena Hayes:
I would really like to apologize for instead of devoting myself to the real problems facing education in my county continuing to obsess on and divert the boards' attention away from said problems and instead put time and energy into obtaining contracts for my collegues and friends. I know some of you might think I'm just a stone cold corrupt killer when it comes to this contract stuff and I realize this isn't important to all you rich slaveowners or wannabe slaveowners out there, but it is to me. So I would at this time like to sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart. CoMor thanks you. The family thanks you.
Posted on December 31, 2006 10:32 AM
Allen, I'm confused. You said you want everybody to be civil and then you open up on old Mike, who just wanted to get elected (so he had to screw people to do it-all's fair in love and politics)and a host of others people you think are worthy of your attentions above.
You claim to want peace and then you seemingly go on the attack.
Please Explain.
Posted on December 31, 2006 12:28 PM
Its just a claim to want peace but its really the same ole message from Alan and his Newspaper. Do as I say not do as I do.
Read my lips Allen. I dont buy it. Stick your dictatorship where it belongs and doesnt belong in a fair Guilford County.
Posted on December 31, 2006 2:37 PM
I liked Dr. Grier's resolution on the front page today.
Now, I've always given Dr. Grier the benefit of the doubt (I've doubted and doubted and doubted)but if all the kids in guilford co. go to GTCC, and free yet, wouldn't GTCC have to be several times larger than it is now, like about three or four times larger, and who exactly would kind of pay for this?
Now, I know this is kind of out-of-the-box and earth shattering so hold on to you seats, folks, but has anyone ever thought of actually educating the kids, K-12, so they could go onto a four year college right out of the gate? I mean, I know this is silly, but has anyone in this county actually thought of getting competent people to run things, setting standards, maintain dicipline, and having credible leadership that can inspire teachers instead of instilling cynical fear and distrust in them, and in parents and students also?
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the N&R for providing a forum where the above radical concept can be suggested.
Posted on December 31, 2006 2:40 PM
Dr. Grier saying:
This Eastern Guilford Fire sure has been a Profitable Event for Guilford County Schools,,,not to mention diverting attention away from my latest string of Failures.
On the same line,,,,,is an arrest for arson at EG forthcoming?????????
Or Dr. Grier saying:
Deena Baby,,,,If you take the heat off of me ,,,I will make sure your Minoritiy Issues( Contractors,Racial Healing Seminars,etc,,) become the # 1 Priority for Guilford County Schools.
Or Dot Kearns saying:
We must make HP Central more White,,,take all the Black Kids that get in trouble and send them to Southwest( those NHP parents deserve all the trouble we can stick to them)..
Oh Yeah,,,Whats that other school in High Point????? HMMMM,,,Oh, Andrews,,,We,ll wake Walter and tell him their doing fine.
Long Live the Socialist Republic!!!!!!!!
Posted on January 1, 2007 9:04 PM